"Before the game, you couldn't miss the gravity of the situation from looking at the table. We knew we had to win here," said Löw."I am happy with the first-half performance, there were some good combinations with well-taken goals."But we lost control of the game after the break and we wasted one or two chances."

I was happy with how we played in the first half. We combined well and looked dangerous. After the break we were a bit sloppy and made a few mistakes. Georgia stayed deep and made it difficult for us." from dfb.de

"We always remained positive," said the Bundestrainer. "In the first half we moved the ball well and were looking to achieve something with our combination play. The only thing we were missing in the second half was a third or fourth goal."

Löw "We had complete control of the game" - Jogi speaks to dfb.de and had this to say about the various members of his team:Marco Reus - "I'm happy that Marco is back. He's been very unlucky in recent months and it's taken a lot of hard work and energy to come back. We can play in different ways with Marco and we're also more dangerous in attack because he finds space, has very good ball control, runs with the ball and scores goals. He can play in multiple positions and with him we are more difficult to play against because we're more unpredictable."Bastian Schweinsteiger - "It's important that we have him on the pitch. He, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and Ilkay Gündogan can all control the middle of the pitch brilliantly because they control the ball rhythm so well. As captain he has a lot of influence on the team and we all know how well he played in the World Cup final."

Jogi also discussed the lengthy break between the March and June internationals, adding "It's not unusual for me. The end of season schedule isn't ideal, as the players who were at the World Cup deserve a long holiday. I expect the players to concentrate on their club responsibilities now. Against USA we have another opportunity to try some new things. Against Gibraltar we will win and end the season. In the second half of the year we will be stronger; experience shows that we are better then because we have more time to train and play together."

In a press conference described by t-online as the 'craziest' of Jogi's life, Jogi meets a Georgian journalist/fan, complete with Christmas baubel flag earrings and who explained how he had already seen "Seeler, Schnellinger and Kaiser Franz".

As a lot of humourous exchange went on, Jogi also spoke fondly of the number of Georgians who had played at his home club of Freiburg.

However, there was also the serious business of a European qualifier to see to!

Germany boss Joachim Löw: 'Winning is all that matters'Germany boss Joachim Low has insisted that winning matches is more important that playing well, in response to criticism of his team's recent displays.The world champions take on Georgia in Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier, and Low is adamant that he does not care how they win."For us the three points are important, the scoreline does not matter," he told reporters. "So first we have to wrestle the team to its knees and that's not easy. For Georgia, it's the game of the year, maybe even the decade, against the current world champions."The spectators will support the team. I expect a cauldron which we will have to withstand. The position is clear: we're lacking points in qualification."Now we have to take three points. It's an important game because we're falling behind the group. But I am convinced that we are in a position to win the game."

"For us the three points are important, the scoreline does not matter," he told reporters."So first we have to wrestle the team to its knees and that's not easy. For Georgia, it's the game of the year, maybe even the decade, against the current world champions."The spectators will support the team. I expect a cauldron which we will have to withstand. The position is clear: we're lacking points in qualification."Now we have to take three points. It's an important game because we're falling behind the group. But I am convinced that we are in a position to win the game."Low also confirmed that Bastian Schweinsteiger will make his first start for Germany since succeeding Philipp Lahm as captain following the World Cup triumph."I deliberately look him out of the XI against Australia. The line-up will be completely attacking."

"Bastian Schweinsteiger will start. Our overall formation will be an attacking one,' the coach said, after resting him for their friendly with Australia on Wednesday.'We need players who will box the opponents in their own half, who can operate up front. The concept will be an attacking one."'With all due respect for our opponents, we will take the three points tomorrow with us,' Low said.'We have to light the fire tomorrow to win the three points. We know how important this is and we know of our current situation. I am convinced we can win it.'Georgia have not as many points as they may have expected. Defensively they can operate very well.' - from dailymnail.co.uk

Other points:- Shkodran Mustafi - may need operation on shoulder.- Of course, team not yet at the level of performance as in the World Cup last summer. Three players have retired, many players have been injured after the World Cup, have not had a consistent line-up. But overall, it is their goal to win the group and to form a team to hit the heights at the European Championship.- Georgia compact in defense. Germany will play to win from the start.

Jogi was also presented with two balls, as a birthday present for Manuel Neuer!

Badstuber and Bellarabi out of Georgia clash - 27 March 2015Holger Badstuber and Karim Bellarabi have been ruled out of Germany's Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia on Sunday due to injury and illness, respectively. Jogi will now take a 21-man squad to Georgia.

"It's an unfamiliar situation for us," said Löw on how things stand in Group D at the moment, "but it's not a problem. Our sensed are heightened; we know what we have to do and can't afford any more slip-ups. We want to pick up three points in Tbilisi and that is exactly what we're demanding of ourselves. I have complete faith that my players are aware of the situation and are capable of dealing with it. We're confident, but we won't underestimate Georgia. If we remain serious and show our quality on the pitch then we will come away from Georgia with the win." from dfb.de - 20 March 2015

For squad selection and news prior to the two March matches, see my Australia page

Last updated 10 April 2015With thanks to everyone on the Group, especially Lucille, Silke, Delmy, Susanne, Elfriede and Natascha. Anything else you think I should include on this page? Let me know!